Lincoln University, Kumo launches admission portal, pledges commitment to quality education

Prof. Adamu Sadiq Abubakar, the Vice Chancellor of Lincoln University Kumo, the first foreign university in Nigeria, licensed by the National Universities Commission (NUC) has opened its admission portal for the enrolment of students for the 2025/2026 academic session.

Abubakar, who made the announcement at a news conference at the school premises in Kumo, Akko Local Government Area of Gombe State, described the development as a significant milestone, noting that Lincoln University Kumo is the first institution to operate in Nigeria under the Transnational Education (TNE) model.

He said applications could be completed through the university’s portal, after which qualified applicants will receive admission within five working days and upon graduation, students would earn foreign-certified degrees while studying locally in Nigeria.

According to him, the institution was established through a public-private partnership between the Gombe State Government and Lincoln University Malaysia.
“The university currently operates three faculties Medicine and Allied Health Sciences; Sciences and Computing; and Management and Social Sciences—with programmes including Medicine (MD/MBBS), Nursing, Public Health, Community Health, Radiography and Medical Imaging, Health Information Management, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Biomedical Science, IT, Cybersecurity, Business Administration, Accounting, Oil and Gas Management, and Mass Communication,’’the Vice Chancellor said.

Abubakar lauded Gov. Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State for providing the enabling environment that facilitated the smooth take-off of the institution.

Speaking via Zoom, the President and Founder of Lincoln University College Malaysia, Professor Amiya Bhaumik, described the launch of admissions as a historic moment for the university.
Bhaumik assured that the quality of education delivered in Kumo would match what students receive at the university’s headquarters in Malaysia.

He said the university was founded on the belief that everyone has a right to quality education and expressed gratitude to the Gombe State Government for its support.

The institution’s President added that Lincoln University’s programmes were globally recognised, enabling graduates to compete internationally and pursue global entrepreneurship, stressing that Lincoln trains students to become job creators rather than job seekers.

Also speaking, the Vice President and CEO of Lincoln University Nigeria, Dr. Murtadho Alao, highlighted the university’s global rankings and accreditation by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency, Times Higher Education, and QS World Rankings.
He said the TNE model offered Nigerians an affordable alternative to foreign education while still earning an internationally recognised degree.

Alao explained that tuition fees range from ₦100,000 to ₦150,000 per semester, with scholarships of at least 50% for all Nigerians and up to 60% for Gombe indigenes.
He said the institution’s curriculum integrates Practical Class Assessment (PCA) and Practical Skill Application (PSA) to equip students with employability and entrepreneurial skills.

Lincoln University Kumo announced that it will run up to two admission intakes annually and reaffirmed its commitment to expanding access to quality education and building a generation of graduates capable of driving innovation, entrepreneurship, and socio-economic development in Nigeria.

Lincoln University, Kumo launches admission portal, pledges commitment to quality education

NHRC Gives Human Rights Media Award to ThisDay Correspondent

By: Michael Mike

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has given ThisDay correspondent, Michael Olugbode its 2025 Human Rights Media Award.

Also awarded in a special recognition marking its 30th Anniversary are

Falmata Daniel of Premium Times and Emeka Amafor of TV 360. UNHCR and Dorothy Njemanze Foundation were also awarded for their contributions to human rights.

In a citation, Michael Olugbode was described as “a veteran Nigerian journalist whose career spans more than twenty-five years of dedicated service, distinguished reportage, and unwavering commitment to truth and public accountability. A graduate of Business Administration, he began his professional journey with the Nigerian Tribune, where he was employed as a business correspondent.

“His career took a defining turn when he joined ThisDay Newspaper, one of Nigeria’s leading national dailies. Michael was posted to Maiduguri at a time when the Boko Haram insurgency was intensifying, and it was there that he produced some of his most impactful work.

“He covered the insurgency and its devastating humanitarian consequences with rare courage and empathy, bringing national and international attention to the plight of affected communities.

“Following the relative easing of the crisis, Michael was redeployed to Abuja, where he now covers major beats including Foreign Affairs, the Interior Ministry, and several strategic agencies and parastatals. Among these is the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), where he has distinguished himself as one of the Commission’s most consistent and accurate chroniclers. His reportage on human rights issues is marked by depth, clarity, and an unwavering commitment to factual accuracy.

“Michael is widely respected for his professionalism, consistency, and ethical approach to journalism.

“He is known for syndicating NHRC stories across multiple platforms, ensuring wide visibility and public engagement. His dedication to promptly delivering credible reports, as well as his habit of ensuring his beat is fully covered even in his absence, reflect his exceptional work ethic and sense of responsibility.

A hardworking and principled journalist, Michael Olugbode has contributed immensely to strengthening public awareness on governance, humanitarian issues, institutional accountability, and human rights in Nigeria.”

Michael Olugbode was also described as one of Nigeria’s most respected journalists.

In his speech, the Executive Secretary of NHRC, Tony Ojukwu at the occasion commemorating its 30th anniversary and 2025 International Human Rights Day, said:

“As Nigeria’s National Human Rights Institution, we recommit ourselves today to the mandate that has guided us for 30 years to protect, promote, and enforce the rights of all persons in Nigeria.

“This Year’s event is a special one. It commemorates the 30th anniversary of Nigeria’s National Human Rights Institution. Hence, we proudly celebrate 30 years of service to humanity since our establishment in 1995.”

He explained that International Human Rights Day is celebrated every year on 10 December to commemorate the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) by the UN General Assembly in 1948.

He added that it serves as a global call to action to uphold everyone’s fundamental rights, dignity, and freedom from discrimination.

This year’s International Human Rights Day is themed ‘Human Rights, Our Everyday Essentials’.

According to the United Nations, the theme is necessary to re-emphasise the values of human rights as a unifying solution to the challenging and uncertain times.

NHRC Gives Human Rights Media Award to ThisDay Correspondent

NHRC Condemns Lamurde Protesters Killing, Calls for Probe

By: Michael Mike

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has condemned the killing of peaceful protesting women in Lamurde Local Government Area of Adamawa State, calling for an independent and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the killings.

The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr. Tony Ojukwu, in a statement in Abuja, decried that such actions amount to grave violation of human rights which is fundamental, inalienable rights of every Nigerian.

Ojukwu, while demanding that the Federal and State Governments should commit to respecting and protecting citizens’ rights to peaceful protest, and immediately review security-sector protocols to prevent excessive use of force, also requested that measures for reparation and psychosocial support be made available to survivors and families of victims.

Ojukwu, while calling for a scaled up of civic-education and human-rights awareness programmes, especially in conflict-prone areas in order to rebuild public trust and reinforce the legitimacy of peaceful protest, urged the federal government to fast-track the adoption of the National Policy on Protection of Civilians in Conflict Situations and further called on the Adamawa State Government to urgently initiate peacebuilding and conflict resolution mechanisms to resolve on-going inter-communal conflicts in the state.

The statement read: “The National Human Rights Commission expresses its profound shock and deep sorrow over the tragic killing of protesting women in Lamurde Local Government Area, Adamawa State.

“The pattern of violence against peaceful protesters undermines the protective mandate of the NHRC, which exists to uphold these very rights under its enabling legislation.

He noted that on the 31st of July, the NHRC issued an “Advisory on the Protection of the Right to Freedom of Association and Assembly in Nigeria” where it stated the principles and values underpinning

these twin freedoms as cornerstones of our democracy. He added that: “It is our strongest view that where the

Freedom of Assembly is violated, the very foundation of our democracy is attacked. The National Human Rights Commission affirms that the killing of protesting women whether done by members of the Armed Forces as alleged by many accounts or by Non-State Actors violates the very essence of our humanity – the right to life.”

The National Human Rights Commission therefore called on all responsible authorities to immediately: Launch a thorough, independent and transparent investigation into the circumstances

surrounding the killings; Identify and hold to account all those responsible — including command-level officers and ensure they face appropriate criminal prosecution; Provide full reparations and support to the victims, their families and the communities

affected; Guarantee that no similar incident happens again, by enforcing strict adherence to legal standards on use of force, and by facilitating the safe exercise of citizens’ rights to protest, assembly, and expression.

Ojukwu said: “In view of the above, the NHRC demands that: The Federal and State Governments should commit to respecting and protecting citizens’ rights to peaceful protest, and immediately review security-sector protocols to prevent excessive use of force; Measures for reparation and psychosocial support be made available to survivors and families of victims; Civic-education and human-rights awareness programmes be scaled up — especially

in conflict-prone areas — to rebuild public trust and reinforce the legitimacy of peaceful protest as a tool for social change.”

Ojukwu further demanded that: The Federal Government should fast-track the adoption of the National Policy on Protection of Civilians in Conflict Situations.

“The Adamawa State Government initiates as a matter of urgency peacebuilding and

conflict resolution mechanisms to resolve on-going inter-communal conflicts in the

state.”

Meanwhile, the NHRC reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to defending the inalienable rights of all Nigerians, particularly vulnerable groups such as women and children, warning that the Commission shall deploy its full mandate, including monitoring, investigation, and public reporting to ensure justice, accountability and non-repetition.

Ojukwu said: “We stand ready to work with the authorities, civil society, and affected communities to ensure that this tragedy does not reoccur and that those who lost their lives in Lamurde, or whose rights were violated, receive justice, recognition and dignity.”

NHRC Condemns Lamurde Protesters Killing, Calls for Probe